A woman who has made a lasting impression in Los Angeles, designer Deborah Sussman died this morning after the fight against cancer.
Interior Design shared the unfortunate news, while reminding us of her accomplishments and design influence.
Sussman was born in Brooklyn, New York and received her education from the Institute of Design in Chicago and graduate school at Bard College. In the 1950s, Sussman moved to the West Coast to work for the Charles and Ray Eames as an office designer. It wasn't until 1968 where she began her own business as a branding designer working synonymously with architects and designers on projects.
Sussman partnered with her architect husband, Paul Prejza, and created the company Sussman/Prejza & Co. which operates today out of Los Angeles, entailing environmental and graphic design direction for industry professionals.
The company provides their clients with, "...the development of distinctive and successful visual communications programs for the built environment, ranging in scope and complexity."
While Sussman's work and expertise remain vivid in various projects around the world, she is best known for her graphics for Disney theme parks, Santa Monica city branding, along with developing the Culver City bus systems' image and public signage in Downtown Los Angeles at Grand Park.
She also took on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games' "look", exhibited designs in a 2011 LACMA show and has been featured in the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
Rest in Peace Deborah Sussman.
